Match book



July 31, 1934.

A. C. POTTER MATCH BOOK Filed April 22. 1931 '09 D 300 unor- SEE OTHER SIDE VALU E DISCOUNT fnzfeniar JWZM? 6 R2??? Patented July 31, I934 PATENT GFFIQE This invention relates to a type of match book in which cards of matches are bound together at the bottom with a paper folder which passes around the matches as is well known.

The principal objects of this invention are to provide such a match book with a detachable coupon without adding to the bulk to the ordinary match book; to provide the coupon in such form that it will be of material value and will be negotiable for a discount on purchases in certain stores, and to provide a system depending on this match book by which the match book, when the matches are used, will be of value to-the holder, and by which it will be of value in these stores for increasing their sales.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a front view of a match book constructed in accordance with this invention, the book being shown closed;

Fig. 2 is an edge view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front View of the book shown open,

and

Fig. 4 is a rear view of the same.

These match books as now constructed are of no value to anybody after the matches are used and they are thrown around the streets, adding to the litter and rubbish thereon, and sometimes thrown down drain pipes, adding to the debris .which sometimes clogs the same. They are never saved and seldom deposited in a place where they will not add to the unsightliness of the By the present invention a standard size coupon is incorporated into the match book which will have a discount value to the holder after the matches are used, and which can be detached from the stub and turned in at any issuing merchants store accompanied by cash and securing to the purchaser and the holder of the coupon a discount on every dollars worth of goods purchased. These coupons are redeemed by the merchant in this way and then destroyed. The merchants who redeem these coupons indicate it by signs in their store windows, and of course, it is intended that there shall be many of them in each town, perhaps only one in any particular line. The merchants are bound under written agreement to redeem these coupons as long as they display the signs, thus making the system of mutual benefit to the holder of the coupon and the merchants.

In the drawing, a common type of match book streets and buildings in which they are discarded.

is shown comprising one or more cards of paper matches 10 bound at the bottom, for example, by staples 11 to the end of the back 12 which is turned up over the bottom of the matches, and has a striking composition 13 on the front. This back extends practically twice the length of the matches and bends over in front to cover the matches as shown in Fig,

Along the back 10 at a point near the staple 11, or other fastening device, is a line of perforations 14 clear across the back, at which this coupon can be torn off, leaving only the stubs of the matches and the igniting surface 12 to throw away. It is to be noted that the weakened line 14 with perforations is located beyond the staple l1. Theresult of this is that the coupon is held by the staple and will not become detached accidentally. When it is pulled off from the match stubs the staple will leavea hole in it but it will naturally come away from the stubs 18 not leaving jagged edges and not taking with it a part of the backing of the article. On the back is a sign 15 showing the store which gave the coupons away and which is one of the stores'ordinarily that will allow a discount. Also there is a sign 16 which shows the amount of discount, and a sign 1? which discloses the company issuing the match books, which disposes of them to the store whose sign is indicated at 15. On the inside of the cover is reading matter explaining the system and how the coupon can be used.

It will be seen that in this way has been added to the match book a standardized design coupon or coupons with a detachable feature to be used under a cooperative advertising plan, and it will be seen that the match book, or book of matches, is employed as a convenient and universal vehicle of distribution so that the coupons will easily be distributed and these match books are given away ordinarily with purchases of smoking tobacco, etc. and can be given away by other stores in other lines of business. Thus, it is of mutual benefit to customers and merchants, and leads to the promotion of greatly increased cash sales, as they are not redeemed with credit sales. The match book retains its ordinary form, size and usefulness.

It will be seen that the match book is combined with a discount coupon or coupons on a percentage basis. Thus the match book is converted into an article of at least triple value in cash purchase sales from the merchants standpoint. At an extremely small cost to the merchant it induces sales at his store by means of the discount, which is expected to be 5 on a dollar ofcash purchases.

The coupons may be redeemed in the store in which they are distributed or at any other store which redeems these coupons at any time. They may be kept until enough of them are on hand to provide the 5 percent discount on any article which the holder wishes to purchase. The match book or cover performs a plurality of functions, therefore, serving as a detachable and negotiable coupon and advertising panel, a positive cashin the claim. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited to the exact form shown, but what I do claim is:-'

As an article of manufacture, a match book,

having matches, an igniting surface, a back, and a staple holding the stub portion of the matches, the igniting surface and the back together at one end of the back, a portion of the back comprising a coupon having aweakened line across the same beyond the point at which the back is fixed to the stubs of the matches by which-it may be detached from the stubs of the matches, whereby the back is fixed t0 the stubs by the staple so that it is not likely to be detached accidentally but, when detached from the staple intentionally, it will be freed fully from the stubs leaving the stubs and igniting surface still fixed together.

ARTHUR C, PO'I'I'ER. 

